Machine for removing and replacing container caps



A ril 1, 1958 c. 'r. COLGREN ET AL 2,823,593

MACHINE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING CONTAINER CAPS Filed May 24, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1- llll l i ,5/ ii? I'N w 7 I l I Eli '17 I 5 Tia-.1-

INVENTOR. 5.

API;il 1958 c. T. COLGREN ET AL 2,828,593

MACHINE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING CONTAINER CAPS Filed May 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 X0 v l2 jg {1/ ,2; k? 7 I l L Li i 2% X534 I IN V EN TORS 4V mm m April 1, 1958 c. T. COLGREN ET AL 2,328,593

MACHINE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING CONTAINER CAPS Filed May 24, 1954 i 4 Sheets-Sheet s Wm 20W IN V EN TOR-5 A ril 1, 1958 c. T. COLGREN ET AL 2,828,593

MACHINE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING CONTAINER CAPS Filed May 24, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS.

United States Patent MACHINE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING CONTAINER CAPS Carl T. Colgren and J. Raymond Newland, Kalamazoo,

Mich, assignors to Sutherland Paper Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application May 24, 1954, Serial No. 431,792

17 Claims. (Cl. 53-76) This invention relates to a machine for removing and replacing container caps.

The principal objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine which will automatically remove the caps of cylindrical paper containers and accurately replace the caps without damage to either the caps or the containers.

Second, to provide a machine for facilitating the filling of cylindrical containers by eliminating the necessity for manually removing the covers or caps from the containers and replacing the caps after the containers have been filled.

Third, to provide a machine having vertical reciprocable and angularly opening and closing cap manipulating jaws and an angularly shiftable container translating arm combined with electrically controlled fluid operated means for operating the jaws and arm mechanically actuated electric switches connected to automatically actuate the fluid operated means in consecutive timed relationship to accomplish the purpose of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following description and claims. The drawings of which there are four sheets, illustrate a highly practical form of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine with portions broken away and sectioned to illustrate the relationship between the elements thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view taken along the plane of the line 22 in Fig. 1 and illustrating the mechanism at the start of a cycle of operation.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the machine at the end of the recapping operation.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cap gripping jaws taken along the plane of the line 44 in Fig. 2 and showing the jaws in cap gripping position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the cap gripping jaws in open position, the view being partially broken away along the plane of the line 55 in Fig. 2 to illustrate the jaw operating mechanisms and switches.

Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electric controls and connections of the machine.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the machine in ejecting filled containers.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic elevational view illustrating the successive steps or operations performed by the machine on a container and cap.

The present machine is designed primarily to facilitate the filling of cylindrical paper containers with ice cream. Particularly in the larger size containers, it is the practice to supply ice cream manufacturers with cylindrical containers with caps fitted thereon and it is necessary to remove the cap, fill the container and replace the cap. Considerable time and dexterity is required to replace the cylindrical flange of the cap on the filled cylindrical container without damage to either the parts of the container, the present invention performs movement to different parts of a plant.

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Patented Apr. 1, 1.958

the operations of removing and replacing the cap automatically. The machine may be used in connection with other types of containers and other ingredients and the disclosure of cylindrical containers filled with ice cream is used by way of example only.

The machine comprises a framework or support 1., the details of which are unimportant except as they provide support forthe operating elements, as will be described. The top of the framework supports a table 2 and if desired, theframework can be supported on rollers 3 for Desirably the framework and the mechanism therein is enclosed by suitable body panels .4. The table 2 is adapted to support a plurality of cylindrical paper containers 5 which may be brought to the table either manually or automatically.

Projecting through the table 2 is a vertical rock shaft 6 having a forwardly facing semi-cylindrical stop and ejecting member 7 secured thereto. The stop 7 functions as a guide for locating successive containers in identical positions on the. table. 7

The rock shaft 6 and stop 7 are rotated angularly by means of a fluid actuatedcylinder 8 mounted underneath the table and having a piston rod 9 connected to a crank arm 16 on the lower end of the rock shaft. The rock shaft and stop '7 are rotated as will be described in greater detail to eject or mechanically advance the jaws descend over the container.

filled containers after they have been re-capped.

Projecting vertically from the table 2 behind the rock shaft 6 is a tubular sleeve 11 which extends above the stop 7. A second shaft 12 extends axially through the sleeve and projects thereabove. The upper end of the sleeve 11 has a split clamp 13 secured thereto and the clamp has a forwardly projecting cap gripping jaw 14 secured thereto. The upper end of the shaft 12 has. a second split clamp 15 secured thereto and the clamp 15 has a second cap gripping jaw 16 secured thereto. As is best illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the jaws l4 and 16 are of opposed semi-circular shape so that opposite rotation of the sleeve ill and shaft 12 will open or close the jaws around the cap of a container.

The shaft 12 projects above the clamp 15 to support a bracket 17 having a pressure plate llSprojecting therefrom over the jaws Maud 16. The bracket 17 is .angularly restrained in one position by the spring pressed detent ball 19 and is held against vertical displacement by the ring 20 clamped to the upper end of the shaft 12. When desired the plate 18 may be rotated toward the side to expose the action of the jaws. The jaws 14 and 16 have upwardly converging guide surfaces 21 for guiding the upper end of a container into the cap held by the jaws. The flanged cap 22 of the container is held between the semi-cylindrical surfaces 23 of the jaws so that the cap can slide upwardly from the jaws as the The pressure plate 18 functions to place the cap tightly on the container .as will be described in greater detail presently. An upwardly facing le 23A on the jaws engages under the flange of the cap to strip the cap from the container.

The mechanism forroperating the jaws 14 and 16is positioned below the table 2 on the lower ends of the sleeve 11 and shaft 12. A second fluid actuated cylinder 24 has a piston rod 25 connected to the shaft 12 to vertically reciprocate the shaft. Clamped to the shaft above the guide bearing 26 is an arm 27. The arm 27 not only rotates with the shaft 12 but supports the sleeve 11 on the shaft so that the sleeve and shaft move together under the influence of the piston rod 25. Clamped to the lower end of the sleeve 11 immediately above the arm 27 is a second arm 28. As is best illustrated in Fig. 5 the arm 27 is extended from the shaft 12 and carries a bracket 29 on which a third fluid operated cylinder 30 is mounted. The cylinder 30 thus reciprocates with the shaft 12 and escapes,

is adaptedto swing angularly with the shaft. The piston V I rod 31 of the cylinder 3% is connected by means of a link 32 with a bracket arm 33 extending from the arm 28 on thelower end of the sleeve. The extension of the piston rod 31 thus operates to oppositely rotate the sleeve energizes the solenoid 50 to shift valve 502 and cause the cylinder to commence to close the jaws 14 and 16. Final closing motion of the jaws about the cap of the container moves the arm 42 into contact with the operating button of the switch 38. This switch is of the momentary contact type andoloses a circuit to the solenoid 51. This shifts the valve 501 to immediately start upward motion of the piston rod 25 so that the caption! gripped between the jaws is lifted off of the container. At the, end of the upward motion of the piston, rod 25 and the switch plate 43, the plate 43 will be rotated with the piston rod and shaft 12 so as to clear the switch 44.

In order to automatically control the several cylinders and the parts operated thereby the machine is provided with a number of electrical switches and connecting conductors. The bracket arm 27 clamped to the shaft 12 carries a switch support plate 37 that thus oscillates or swings with the shaft 12. The plate 37 extends radially from the shaft 12 and supports a pair of electrical switches 38 and 39 having opposed actuating pins 40 and 41 respectively projecting toward each other but spaced apart as is illustrated in Fig. 5. The bracket arm 28 on the sleeve carries a projecting finger 42 which extends between 4 The mechanism therefore comes to rest with the cap elevated'abovecthe empty container as shown at B in Fig. 8. The operator can then manually remove the empty container (as represented at position C in Fig. 8) to filling and weighing position after which the filled container is returned against the guide stop 7 in the position indicated at D in Fig. 8. This second actuation of the switch 58 again energizes the solenoid 50 to move the jaws downwardly and replace the cap on the now filled container as shown in E in Fig. 8. The switch plate 43 on the shaft 12 will again contact the switch button 49 and reverse the two-way switch 48 to close the switch on the solenoid 52 so that the second actuation of the switch 46 will shift the valve 502 to actuate the cylinder 30, to

open the jaws 14 and 16. Opening motion of the jaws causes the switch arm 42 to engage and momentarily with a projecting plate 43 which reciprocates and oscillates angularly with movement of the shaft 12. The framework 1 supports an upper switch 44 with a downwardly facing actuating pin 45 adapted to be engaged by close the switch 39 which action energizes the solenoid 51 On the second upward motion of the jaws and the switch plate 43, the plate 43 will be the plate 43 in one raised and rotated position of the shaft x 12. The framework also supports a lower switch 46 having an upwardly projecting actuating pin 47 and a sequence control switch 48 having upwardly projecting actuating pin 49. With reference to Fig. 5 it will be noted that the switch 44 and pin 45 are so that the switch r plate 43 will actuate the switch only in the angularly adjusted osition of the shaft 12 corresponding to the open position of the jaws. The switches 48 and 46 are positioned to be engaged by the plate 43 in either angularly adjusted osition of the shaft 12.

The upward and downward movement of the piston rod 25 is controlled by a magnetic valve 501 having a pair of solenoids 50 and 51 appearing in the circuit diagram in Fig. 6. The opening and closing motion of the jaws by the cylinder 30 is controlled by a magnetic valve 502 having a pair of solenoids 52 and 53.

The rotation of the stop and guide 7 in ejecting the filled containers is controlled by the previously described cylinder 8 and this cylinder is controlled by a magnetic valve 503 having a pair of solenoids 54 and 55. The

rotated as shown in 43-3 in Fig. 5 to engage the switch 44. The switch 44 is of the momentary contact type and energizes the solenoid 55 to shift the valve 503 to actuate thecylinder 8 and rotate the guide stop 7 in an ejecting motion as shown in Fig. 7 to eject and push aside the newly filled and recapped container. The piston rod 9 of the cylinder 8 actuates a switch 61 in the retracted position ofthe rod to energize the solenoid 54 to autom'atically shift the valve 503 and return the piston rod.

The apparatus comes to rest with the jaws raised and open for a succeeding cycle of operation.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

n 1. A machine for removing and replacing flanged caps on cylindrical paper containers comprising a platform adapted'tosupport a container, a rockshaft projecting solenoids associated with each valve function to move the valve to its opposite position where it remains until the' other solenoid is energized. 4

With the cap gripping jaws 14 and 16 in elevated open position and with the circuit in the condition illustrated V in Fig. 6 the cycle of operation of the machine is as the piston rod 25 nears the lower limit of its travel the switch plate 43 projecting therefrom first contacts the push button 49 of a twoway switch 48 to connect the switch 48 to the solenoid 53. Further descent of the piston rod 25 and switch plate 43 engages the switch 46. The switch 46 is also of the momentary contact type and through said platform and having a concave container stopsecured thereto above said platform, a fluid actuated cylinder mounted below said platform and connected to said rockshaft to oscillate the same, a sleeve projecting through said platform behind said roclrshaft and-having a cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end, a second v shaft extending-throughsaidsleeve and having a second cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end and coa'cting with said first jaw, said jawshaving upwardly opening laterally concave gripping surfaces with upwardly facing ledges at the bottoms thereof, a pressure plate secured to said second shaft and projecting over said jaws, a switch havingan operating member positioned adjacent said stop to be actuated by a containerpressed against said stop, operatingarmssecured to the lower end of said sleeve and to the adjacent portion of saidsecond shaft, a second fluid operated cylinder carriedby one of said operating arms and. having a piston rod 'ponnected to the other of said. operating arms torelatively rotate said sleeve and .said second shaft a switch supporting plate carried by one of said. operating arms and having a pair of momentary contact switches mounted thereon with their actuating members in opposed spaced relation, a switch actuating finger carried by the other of said operating arms and disposed between the actuating members of said pair of switches, a third fluid actuated-cylinder having a piston rod connected to said second shaft to reciprocate said aeaasaa second shaft and said sleeve, guide means engageable with said arms in the vertically adjusted positions thereof to locate said jaws over said stop, a switch operating arm projecting from said second shaft and reciprocable therewith below said platform, an upper momentary contact switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating arm in the raised position of said shaft and in the open position of said jaws, a lower momentary contacting switch positioned to be actuated in the lower position of said operating arm and all positions of said jaws, a twoway switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating arm in the lowered position thereof prior to actuation of said lowered momentary contact switch and in all angularly adjusted positions of said jaws, magnetically operated valves for reversely actuating said fluid operated cylinders, and wiring connections between said switches and said magnetic valves to effect downward movement of said second shaft and jaws upon actuation of said first switch and automatic closing of said jaws and the elevation thereof upon the first descent of said switch actuating arm and to effect opening motion of said jaws and upward movement thereof and oscillation of said stop to eject a filled container following a second descent of said jaws.

2. A machine for removing and replacing flanged caps on cylindrical containers comprising a platform adapted to support a container, a container locating stop positioned over said platform, a sleeve projecting through said platform behind said stop and having a cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end, a shaft extending through said sleeve and having a second cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end and coacting with said first jaw, said jaws having upwardly opening laterally concave gripping surfaces with upwardly facing ledges at the bottoms thereof, a pressure plate secured to said shaft and projecting over said jaws, a switch having an operating member positioned adjacent said stop to be actuated by a container pressed against said stop, operating arms secured to the lower end of said sleeve and to the adjacent portion of said shaft, a fluid operated cylinder carried by one of said operating arms and having a piston rod connected to the other of said operating arms to relatively rotate said sleeve and said shaft, a switch supporting plate carried by one of said operating arms and having a pair of momentary contact switches mounted thereon with their actuating members in opposed spaced relation, a switch actuating finger carried by the other of said operating arms and disposed between the actuating members of said pair of switches, a second fluid actuated cylinder having a piston rod connected to said shaft to reciprocate said shaft and said sleeve, guide means engageable with said arms in the vertically adjusted positions thereof to locate said jaws over said step, a switch operating arm projecting from said shaft and reciprocable therewith below said platform, a lower momentary contacting switch positioned to be actuated in the lower position of said operating arm and all positions of said jaws, a two-way switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating arm in the lowered position thereof prior to actuation of said lowered momentary contact switch and in all angularly adjusted positions of said jaws, magnetically operated valves for reversely actuating said fluid operated cylinders, and wiring connections between said switches and said magnetic valves to eifect downward movement of said shaft and jaws upon actuation of said first switch and automatic closing of said jaws and the elevation thereof upon the first descent of said switch actuating arm and to effect opening motion of said jaws and upward movement thereof following a second descent of said jaws.

3. A machine for removing and replacing flanged caps on cylindrical containers comprising a platform adapted to support a container, at rockshaft projecting through aid platform and having a concave container stop secured thereto above said platform, a fluid actuated cylinder mounted below said platform and connected to said rockshaft to oscillate the same, a sleeve projecting through said platform behind said rockshaft and" having a cap engaging jaw secured to its'upper end, a' second shaft extending through said sleeve and having a second cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end and coacting with said first jaw, a switch having an operating member positioned adjacent said stop to be actuated by a container pressed against said stop, operating arms secured to the lower end of said sleeve and to the adjacent portion of said second shaft, a second fluid operated cylinder carried by one of said operating arms and having a piston rod connected to the other of said operating arms to relatively rotate said sleeve and said second shaft, a switch supporting plate carried by one of said operating arms and having a pair of momentary contact switches mounted thereon with their actuating members in opposed spaced relation, a switch actuating finger carried by the other of said operating arms and disposed between the actuating members of said pair of switches, a third fluid actuated cylinder having a piston rod connected to said second shaft to reciprocate said second shaft and said sleeve, guide means engageable with said arms in the vertically adjusted positions thereof to hold said jaws over said stop, a switch operating arm projecting from said second shaft and reciprocable therewith below said platform, an upper momentary contact switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating arm in the raised position of said second shaft and in the open position of said jaws, a lower momentary contacting switch positioned to be actuated in the lower position of said operating arm and all positions of said jaws, a twoway switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating arm in the lowered position thereof prior to actuation of said lowered momentary contact switch and in all angularly adjusted positions of said jaws, magnetically operated valves for reversely actuating said fluid operated cylinder, and wiring connections between said switches and said magnetic valves to effect downward movement of said second shaft and jaws upon actuation of said first switch and automatic closing of said jaws and the elevation thereof upon the first descent of said switch actuating arm and to effect opening motion of said jaws and upward movement thereof and oscillation of said stop to eject a filled container following a second descent of said jaws.

4. A machine for removing and replacing flanged caps on cylindrical containers comprising a platform adapted to support a container, a container locating stop positioned over said platform, a sleeve projecting through said platform behind said stop and having a cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end and coacting with said first jaw, a switch having an operating member positioned adjacent said stop to be actuated by a container pressed against said stop, operating arms secured to the lower end of said sleeve and to the adjacent portion of said-shaft, a fluid operated cylinder carried by one of said operating arms and having a piston rod connected to the other of said operating arms to relatively rotate said sleeve and said shaft, a switch supporting plate carried by one of said operating arms and having a pair of momentary contact switches mounted thereon with their actuating members in opposed spaced relation, a switch actuating finger carried by the other of said operating arms and disposed between the actuating members of said pair of switches, a second fluid actuated cylinder having a piston rod connected to said shaft to reciprocate said shaft and said sleeve, a switch operating arm projecting from said shaft and reciprocable therewith below said platform, a lower momentary contacting switch positioned to be actuated in the lower position of said operating arm and all positions of said aws, a two-way switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating arm in the lowered position thereof prior to actuation of said lowered momentary contact switch and in all angularly adjusted positions of said jaws, magnetically operated valves for reversely actuating said fluid operated cylinders, and wiring connections between said switches and said magnetic a 7 Valves to effect downward movement of said shaft and aws upon actuation of said first switch and automatic closing of said jaws and the elevation thereof upon the first descent of said switch actuating arm and to effect form and having a cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end, a shaft extending through said sleeve and having a second cap engaging jaw secured to its upper end and coacting with said first jaw, a switch arm positioned under said jaws to be actuated by a container placed on said platform under said jaws, operating arms secured to the lower end of said sleeve and to the adjacent portion of said shaft, a fluid operated expansion device carried by one of said operating arms and having a'piston rod connected to the other of said operating arms to relatively rotate said sleeve and said shaft, a switch supporting plate carried by one of said operating arms and having a pair of momentary contact switches mounted thereon with their actuating members in opposed spaced relation, a switch actuating finger carried by the other of said operating arms and disposed between the actuating members of said pair of switches, a second fluid actuated expansion device connected to said shaft and said sleeve, a switch operating arm projecting from said sleeve and reciprocable therewith below said platform, a momentary contacting switch positioned to be actuated in'the lower position of said operating arm and all positions of said jaws, a two-way switch positioned to be actuated by said switch operating arm in the lowered position thereof prior to actuation of said lowered momentary contact switch and in all angularly adjusted positions of said jaws, magnetically operated valves for reversely actuating said expansion devices, and wiring connections between said switches and said magnetic valves to effect downward movement of said shaft and jaws upon actuation of said first switch and automatic closing of said jaws and the elevation thereof upon the first descent of said switch actuating arm and to effect opening motion of said jaws and upward movement thereof following a second descent of said jaws.

6. In a machine for removing and replacing caps from cartons, the combination of a platform adapted to support a carton, jaws reciprocable above said platform down to the level of the cap of a carton on said platform and oscillatable in opening and closing motions, fluid operated means connected to open and close said jaws, other fluid operated means connected to reciprocate said jaws, a trigger switch connected to initiate downward motion of said jaws and positioned to be actuated by a container positioned under said jaws, a second switch connected to energize said jaw openings and closing means and positioned to be actuated by downward motion of said jaws, a selector switch connected in series with said' last switch to alternately and oppositely actuate said opening and closing means and positioned to be actuated upon downward motion of said jaws prior to actuation of said second switch, and a return switch connected to said other fluid operated means to actuate the sameto raise said jaws and positioned to be actuated by movement of said jaws to open and closed positions.

7. In a machine for removing and replacing caps from cartons, the combination of a platform adapted to support a carton, jaws reciprocable above said platform down to the level of the cap-of a carton on said platform and oscillatable in openingand closing motions, fluid operated means connected to open and close said jaws, other fluid operated means connected to reciprocate said'jaws,

; a trigger switch connected'to initiate downward motion of said jaws and positioned to be actuated by a container positioned under said jaws, a second switch connected to energize said jawopening and closing means and positioned to be actuated by downward motion of said jaws, and a selector switch connected in series with said last switch to alternately and oppositely actuate said opening and closing means and positioned to be actuated upon downward motion of said jaws prior to actuation of said second switch.

8. In a machine for removing and replacing caps from cartons, the combination of a platform adapted to support' a carton, jaws reciprocable above said platform down to the level of the cap of a carton on said platform and oscillatable in opening and closing motions, power means connected to open and close said jaws, other power means connected to reciprocate said jaws, a trigger switch connected to said other means to initiate downward motion of said jaws and positioned to be actuated by a'container positioned under said jaws, a switch connected to energize said jaw, opening and closing means and positioned to be actuated by downward motion of said jaws, a selector switch connected in series with said last switch to alternately and oppositely actuate said opening and closing means and positioned to be actuated upon downward motion of said jaws, and a pressure plate carried 'by said jaws and positioned thereabove to contact a cap on a container in the lowered position of said jaws.

9. In a machine for removing and replacing caps from cartons, the combination of a platform adapted to support a carton, jaws reciprocable above said platform down to the level of the cap of a carton on said platform and oscillatable in opening and closing motions, power means connected to open and close said jaws, other power means connected to reciprocate said jaws, a trigger switch connected to said other means to initiate downward motion of said jaws and positioned to be actuated by a container positioned under said jaws, a switch connected to energize said jaw opening and closing means and positioned to be actuated by downward motion of said jaws, and a selector switch connected in series with said last switch to alternately and oppositely actuate said opening and closing means and positioned to be actuated upon downward motion of said jaws.

10. In a machine for removing and replacing caps from cartons, the combination of a platform adapted to support a carton, jaws reciprocable above said platform down to the level of the cap of a carton on said platform and oscillatable in opening and closing motions, power means connected to open and close said jaws, other power means connected to reciprocate said jaws, a trigger element connected to said other means to initiate downward motion of said jaws and positioned to be actuated by a container positioned under said jaws, a power control element connected to energize said jaw openings and closing means and positioned to be actuated by downward 'motion of said jaws, and a selector element connected in series with said power control element to alternately and oppositely actuate said opening and closing means and positioned to be actuated upon downward motion of said jaws.

11. In a carton uncapping and recapping machine, a pair of opposed concave cap clamping jaws open at the top and having upwardly facing ledges adapted to abut the lower edge of a cap flange, downwardly diverging guide surfaces'on said jaws below said ledges, means for reciprocating said jaws downwardly over a cap and for oscillating the jaws inwardly around a cap, a pressure plate positioned over said jaws and reciprocable therewith, and means for reciprocating said jaws and automatically opening said jaws and closing said jaws jaws and closing said jaws on alternate downward motions thereof.

13. In a carton uncapping and recapping machine a pair of opposed concave cap clamping jaws open at the top, downwardly diverging guide surfaces on the lower edges of said jaws, means for reciprocating said jaws downwardly over a cap and for oscillating the jaws inwardly around a cap, a pressure plate positioned over said jaws and reciprocable therewith, and means for reciprocating said jaws and automatically opening said jaws and closing said jaws on alternate downward motions thereof.

14. In a machine for uncapping and recapping cartons a carton support, a stop for positioning a capped carton on the support, a pair of opposed jaws mounted for reciprocation axially of the carton positioned by said stop and laterally swingable relative to the axis of their reciprocation, means for reciprocating said jaws, means for closing the jaws on one reciprocating stroke thereof to grip a cap and remove the cap on one retracting movement of the jaws and opening the jaws at the end of the succeeding forward stroke thereof to release the cap and means associated with the jaws for pressing the cap on the carton on the jaw opening stroke.

15. In a machine for uncapping and recapping cartons a carton support, a stop for positioning a capped carton on the support, a pair of opposed jaws mounted for reciprocation axially of the carton positioned by said stop and laterally swingable relative to the axis of their reciprocation, means for reciprocating said jaws, means for closing the jaws at the end of one advancingstroke thereof to grip a cap and remove the cap of a carton located against said stop on one retracting movement of the jaws and for opening the jaws at the end of the sue ceeding advancing stroke thereof to release the cap onto the same carton located against said stop.

16. A machine for uncapping and recapping cartons comprising a pair of opposed laterally swingable cap gripping jaws reciprocably mounted for movement on a single axis transverse to the plane of opening and closing motion of the jaws, means for reciprocating said jaws to and from uncapping and recapping position, means for closing and opening said jaws when in capping and recapping position on alternate strokes of the jaws, and means associated with the jaws for pressing a cap on a carton on the jaw opening stroke.

17. A machine for uncapping and recapping cartons comprising a pair of opposed laterally swingable cap gripping jaws reciprocably mounted for movement on a single axis transverse to the plane of opening and closing motion of the jaws, means for reciprocating said jaws to and from uncapping and recapping position, means for closing and opening said jaws when in capping andl recapping position on alternate strokes of the jaws.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 489,457 Great Britain July 27, 1938 

